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Thermally Programmable Dynamic Capillarity in Nanofluidic Channels Grafted with Smart Elastomeric Layers
Theneyur Narayanaswamy Banuprasad1, Sunando DasGupta2, Suman Chakraborty3
1Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, 721302, India.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|October 26, 2022
Summary
Smart elastomeric layers in nanochannels enable thermally controlled capillary flow. This breakthrough allows for precise, reconfigurable fluid manipulation for applications in biomedicine and energy.
Area of Science:
- Nanofluidics
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Controlling fluid flow at the nanoscale is crucial for various applications.
- Existing methods for nanofluidic manipulation are often complex and non-reconfigurable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate thermally programmable dynamic capillarity in engineered nanochannels.
- To achieve tunable and reconfigurable control over capillary flow rates.
Main Methods:
- Functionalizing nanochannels with smart elastomeric layers.
- Investigating capillary flow dynamics within a specific temperature range (25-31 °C).
- Developing a theoretical model to explain the observed phenomena.
Main Results:
- Achieved a sevenfold alteration in capillary flow rate by temperature modulation.
- Demonstrated reconfigurable control over spatial and temporal regimes.
- Identified the interplay of wettability, molecular layering, and surface tension modulation.
Conclusions:
- Thermally programmable dynamic capillarity offers a novel approach for precise nanofluidic control.
- The technology is reconfigurable and adaptable for on-demand manipulation.
- Potential applications include temperature-sensitive biological sample handling, energy harvesting, and water purification.
